[Verse 1]
“I must be going, no longer staying
The burning Thames I have to cross
I must be guided without a stumble
Into the arms of my dear lass.”

[Verse 2]
When he came to his true love's window
He knelt down gently on a stone
And it's through a pane he whispered softly
“My dear girl, are you alone?”

[Verse 3]
She rose herself from her down-soft pillow
And snowy were her milk-white breasts
Saying, “Who's there, who's there at my bedroom window
Disturbing me at me long night's rest?”

[Verse 4]
“Oh, I'm your lover, don't discover
I pray you rise, love, and let me in
For I am fatigued out of my long night's journey
Besides, I'm wet into the skin.”

[Verse 5]
Now this young girl rose and put on her clothing
Till she quickly let her own true love in
They kissed, shook hands and embraced together
Till that long night was near an end

[Verse 6]
“O' Willie dear, O handsome Willie
Where is that colour you'd some time ago?”
“O Mary dear, the clay has changed me
I am but the ghost of your Willie O.”

[Verse 7]
“Then O cock, O cock, O handsome cockerel
I pray you not crow fore it's day
And your wings I'll make of the very first beaten gold
Your comb I will make of the silver grey.”
[Verse 8]
But the cock it crew and it crew so fully
It crew three hours before it was day
And before it was day my love had to go away
Not by the light of the moon nor the light of the day

[Verse 9]
When she saw her love disappearing
The tears down her pale cheeks in streams did flow
He said, “Weep no more for me, dear Mary
I am no more your Willie O.”

[Verse 10]
Then it's “Willie dear, O handsome Willie
Whenever shall I see you again?”
“When the fish they fly, love, and the sea runs dry, love
And the rocks they melt by the heat of the sun.”